The Bank Swallow colony at Tilcon Lake along Waterloo Valley Road and Kinny Road in Mt. Olive Township is thriving. Whether the population is stable cannot be determined without numbers from previous years. This colony has existed for a long time as Tom Halliwell stated in a previous post. Approximately, 20 Bank Swallows were seen around the nest site and in the area of the lake. The photograph below shows nests from previous years as well as the ones currently in use. Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher as well as a healthy number of expected species are at this location and along Waterloo Valley Road.

A Common Raven was heard in the area of Saxton Falls Sand and Gravel on Waterloo Valley Road. As Tom Halliwell suggested three weeks ago, Ravens probably nest in the immediate area. The quarry is still active. A dump truck left at 6:00 a.m. and there was another car or two driving on the premises.

Tilcon Lake and Waterloo Valley Road is an interesting area worthy of further exploration. It joins the Morris County section of Allamuchy State Park with Stephens State Park (the Musconetcong River is the border between Warren and Morris counties.) One word of caution: Waterloo Valley Road is an unimproved wreck of a road surface. It is drivable (the author used a Prius this morning) but care is required to navigate the many potholes.
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Cliff Miles from Mountain Lakes reports on JerseyBirds that he had a Pine Siskin at his feeder today.
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Yesterday’s Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and Glossy Ibis are gone from Melanie Lane Pond in Hanover Township. The Glossy Ibis was seen leaving the area flying east at 8 p.m. last evening.
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Mt. Hope Lake’s Mute Swan population is approximately 130, down from 149 on June 2. Today’s count may lack accuracy because all of the Swans were bunched at the northern end of the lake creating quite a sight.

From all visible signs the Bald Eagles abandoned the nest at this location even though apparent incubation was going on well into the spring – maybe next year.
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The Bank Swallow colony of Tilcon Lake. Click on the photo for a larger image.

Wiilow Flycatcher at Tilcon Lake

(photos by J. Klizas)